On 11th of September, 2009 I started my journey to Velanai. My long time Dream Home. The information I received about the travel was confusing. Can’t go! Need MoD approval, Can only by air are many things I heard and decided to pack up.
Let me go and find it out.
Booked a ticket couple of days earlier 1st class Rs. 700/= by Train up to Vavuniya.
11th 5:45 am. The train left in time. :0)
It was all smooth except you have to check your baggage a station ahead. Reached Vavuniya! A town I read a lot about. My last visit could go way back to 1976/77 – I don’t remember much.
Arrived in Vavuniya 11:50 am.
Got a Tuk Tuk to the Jaffna bus departure stand. At my arrival I noticed it is the Civil Affairs Office run by Military Police.
As every one knows me, I went right to the counter and requested a token (as I got information on how the things work around there from the Tuk Tuk driver. So the first thing is to get a token.
Produced NIC and requested a Token. Where do you live? Colombo. No Sir, you can’t go to Jaffna. Only people left Jaffna within last 6 months could go back. Exception: MoD Clearance to travel on A9.
Wonderful! It took me a couple of phone calls and a night rest in Vavuniya to get the clearance.
12th I booked the A/C bus Rs: 700/= (CTB cost Rs: 134/= CTB Luxury Rs: 200/=) my seat is reserved and the bus would not leave without me.
So now again a line to get the luggage checked before getting into the bus.
The people intended to travel by CTB are boxing in 3 lines to get a seat. Whom to blame, the folks or the system? If the folks could only think a bit of others and stand after, the whole situation could get better. Every one wants their seat regardless.
So after all that boxing, pushing, pulling, screaming and add to that the foxy ideas these people have to get them before you. Interesting!
So now all the buses are loaded and started to ply with each one SLA.
Non stop 3 1/5 hour to Jaffna. Our A/C buss driver was slow as he didn’t wanted to break the bus like the CTB counterpart. So our bus is the last to arrive in Jaffna at 10:25 pm.
The return Journey process is the same. Jaffna residents can get with a NIC copy signed by GA. Departure from the ruin of Jaffna Railway Station.
Arrived in Colombo home 16th night 10:30 pm.
Jaffna people are relaxed, interested in Economy. Big potential for IT.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter. – Martin Luther King Jnr
